Temperature-regulator



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

L. F. EASTON.

TEMPERATURE REGULATOR.

No. 394,568. Patented Dec. 18, l888.

I y ll'a I I (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' L. F. EASTON.

TEMPERATURE REGULATOR.

No. 394,563. Patented Dec. 18, 1888.

N. PEYERS. Piwwum m hm. wamin nm D. C.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

' (No ModeL) I L. I. EASTON.

TEMPERATURE REGULATOR.

No. 394,563. Patented Dec. 18, 1888.

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u PEIERS Mumm-Mmamm me UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUCIAN FORD EASTON, OF LA CROSSE, \VISCONSIN.

TEMPERATURE-REGULATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 394,563, dated December 18, 1888.

Application filed December 17, 1886. Serial No. 221,866- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LUCIAN FORD EASTON, of La Crosse, in the county of La Crosse and State of \Visconsin, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Temperature- Regulators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus for regulating drafts, dampers, ventilators, valves, &c., for controlling the temperature of rooms or buildings; and the improvements consist, primarily, in a novel combination, with a flexible diaphragm, movable piston, or the like, of a hydraulic vacuum or vacuum and pressure device adapted to be actuated by the ordinary service-water of cities or by any flowing or falling stream of water.

The invention further consists in various features and details of construction hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved apparatus, showing the same applied to the control of a steam-valve; Figs. 2, 3, and l, enlarged detail views; Fig. 5, a sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 2 on the line so, and Figs. 6 and 7 views illustrating certain modifications hereinafter referred to; Fig. 8, a view showing a cylinder and piston controlling a common butterfly damper or ventilator.

Prior to my invention apparatus had been devised for controlling dampers, drafts, ventilators, steam-valves, &c., and in such apparatus compressed air has been used, and in one instance the employment of a vacuum has been proposed. For this reason I do not mean to be understood as claiming, broadly, the use of compressed air or of a vacuum for operating valves, dampers, &c.; but I have devised apparatus which is at once simple and efficient, and which obviates difficulties heretofore encountered, and this I claim.

Referring again to the drawings, A indicates a steam-valve, which is supposed to control the supply of steam to radiators or heating apparatus, though it may equally well indicate a draft, door, damper, or ventilator, the action being the same in each case.

B indicates a stem or rod, which in the drawings is the stem of the valve itself, but which may in practice be an independent rod connected in any convenient manner with the draft, damper, ventilator, or other device to be operated. This stem carries two buttons or disks, a and b, rounded at their outer edges, between which disks is clamped a sheet or diaphragm, of rubber or other flexible material, the outer edges of which are clamped between the rim of a concave shell, D, and a ring or hoop, t", as in various steam, hot-air, and compressed-air regulators now in use, the office of the flexible sheet or diaphragm being to move the stem or rod B as the sheet is itself moved by pressure of air from within the shell or by pressure of the atmosphere from without when the air is exhausted from within. This or its well-known equivalent (a piston moving within a cylinder) may be employed to operate doors, dampers, valves, ventilators, 850., such use being common and general, and bein set forth here only to aid in illustrating other parts of the apparatus to which or to the combination of which with the flexible body or the piston my invention more particularly relates.

E indicates an air-tight box or chamber, into which open three pipes, c, d, and e, the pipe 1; communicating with the interior of an exhaust-chamber, F, the pipe d communicating with the interior of a pressure-chamber, G, and pipe e opening into the concave shell D behind the flexible diaphragm.

H indicates a combined vacuum and compression apparatus of that class in which a stream of water or fluid passing through a nozzle of peculiar form draws air in through a separate inlet from the chamber to be exhausted, the air subsequently escaping into a compression-chamber and gradually accumulating until a considerable pressure is developed. This pressure, as also the approach to completeness of the vacuum, depends upon the head of water, and the pressure further depends upon the height of the overflow or outlet of the waste water. Such apparatus is well known and has long been made use of for various purposes, including the compres- IOO The vacuum-chamber F is provided with a vacuum-gage, I, and with an inwardly-opening relief-valve, h, which will be provided with the usual spring and temper-screw common to such valves for setting or adjusting them to withstand a giien pressure and then to open. Similarly the chamber G is furnished with a pressure-gage, J, and with an outwardly-opening relief-valve, '1', similar in construction to the valve 72, or, in other words, both of said valves are of the well-known form of spring safety-valve with adj listing-screw.

Under the above-described arrangement of parts, when the combined exhaust and press ure apparatus is set in operation by causing a stream of water to flow into supply-pipe 7' and through jet-nozzle lathence intopressure-chamber Z, and finallyout through outlet or overflow on, air will be drawn from vacuum-chamber F through pipe f, and air will be forced into chamber G through pipe g, thus producing a more or less nearly perfect vacuum in the former chamber and a greater or less pressure in the latter chamber.

If the pipes c and d were permitted to remain in free and direct communication with the interior of the box E at the same time, the vacuum of one chamber and the pressure of the other would speedily equalize or neutral ize each other, whereas if only one at a time were permitted to open into the box the air would be exhausted therefrom and from the interior of shell D, or forced into both, according to which pipe were opened. I therefore provide means by which one pipe shall be closed as the other is opened, and thus the box E be either exhausted of air or filled with air under pressure, as the case may be.

lVhen the air is exhausted from box E, it is likewise exhausted from shell D, because of the direct-connection through pipe'e, and for; the same reason the shell D is charged with compressed air whenever the box E is s charged.

\Vhen the air is exhausted from shell D, the pressure of the external atmosphere forces the flexible sheet or diaphragm inward, and the diaphragm, carrying with it the rod or stem B, operates the valve, in the present case closing it to prevent steam from passing to the heating apparatus.

hen air is forced into boxE and shell or chamber D, the diaphragmis forced outward and the valve is opened. Thus it will be seen that the valve is actuated positively in both directions instead of being opened against the resistance of a spring or weight and closed by such spring or weight, or vice versa, as is usually done. a

The advantage of my arrangement is manifest, as it requires only one-half the force to operate the-valves and is positive and uniform in its action.

It will be seen that if there be added to the above-described apparatus automatic mechanism'for closing the exhaust pipe and opening the pressure-pipe when the heat exceeds a prescribed limit, and for opening the exhaust and closing the pressure pipe when the temperature falls below a predetermined point, the control of the temperature in the apartment in which the apparatus is located will be rendered automatic and perfect. For this purpose I employ a valve cont-rolled by electro-magnets, a battery or other generator to supply the necessary current, and a thermostatic circuit-closer adapted to cause a current to pass through one or the other of a pair of electro-magnets, or to traverse an electromagnet alternately in opposite directions, so as to cause the alternate attraction and repulsion of the armature, the movementv of which involves a movement and reversal of the valve controlling the exhaust and pressu re pipes. This apparatus is best illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7, in which the box E is shown provided with a pivoted armature, K, carrying at one end a valve plate or disk, 02, which moves over the orifices o and p of the pipes c and (I, being preferably arranged to move edgewise, as shown in Fig. 7 to avoid ploy a two-way valve, as shown in Fig. 6, in

which case the valve-plug will be furnished with a slotted arm and the end of the armature with a pin to enter the slot of the arm, as indicated.

L and M indicate two electro-magnets, both arranged with one core on each side of the armature, 'as shown in Figs. 1, 2, (3, and 7, in which (1 q are the poles of magnet L and '1' r the poles of magnet .M.

-N indicates a battery or othersource of electricity, one pole of which connects by. a wire or conductor, .9, with the brass platev or strip't of the compound bar 0 of the thermostat P, while the other pole connects with the box E, if the latterbe made of good conducting material, or with a metal strip or block, Q, with which one end of the helix of each of the magnets L and M also connects. other end of helix a of magnet L connects witha contact screw or point, e, of the thermostat P, and in like manner the other end of helix w of magnet M connects with a C011 tracted by the polesq q of electro-magnet L,

thereby causing thevalve disk or plug n to close the mouth 0 of exhaust-pipe c and open The loo

\Vhen this occurs, the armature; K will be atthe mouth 1) of pressure-pipe d, in which positions the armature and valve are shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. So long as the strip 25 of the thermostat remains thus in contact with the point or screw 1; the circuit will be complete, the armature will be attracted by magnet L, and the valve disk or plugwill prevent communication between exhaust-chamber F and box E, but will permit air to enter box E from chamber G under pressure and to flow thence to shell D, where it will force out the diaphragm and the valve-stem and open the steam-valve A. Obviously it may actuate and control a draft, damper, ventilator, or other contrivance by which the temperature may be lowered. As soon as the temperature rises very slightly, the compound bar 0 begins to straighten and breaks c011- tact with screw 1*, thus interrupting the battery-circuitand preventing waste of the battery elements and solution. The circuit remains thus incomplete, while the temperature continues to rise by reason of the opening of the valve, draft, or other device, and until a predetermined point is reached, the bar 0 bending more and more, until at the moment the prescribed limit is reached the strip t touches contact point or screw .20, and thus establishes a circuit from the battery or generator N through strip 2., point :6, wire a, the helices w of electro-magnet M, box E or strip Q, and wire .2, back to the battery or generator.v This causes the magnet M to be energized and to attract armature K, which in turn opens pipe 0, closes pipe (1, permits the air to pass from chamber or shell D to exhaust-chamber F to supply the vacuum therein, and allows the external atmosphere to force back the diaphragm C and stem B, and thus to close the valve A, or actuate a valve, damper, or ventilator, as the case may be. It will thus be seen that whenever the temperature rises or falls to a given limit the valve, damper,'draft, or other device necessary to regulate or correct the temperature will be automatically operated.

The arrangement of the magnets and armature may be greatly varied, a single pole or two poles of each magnet being arranged to attract the armature, or a polarized armature .being employed, and the two poles of each electro-magnet being arranged one to attract and the other to repel the armature, or the thermostat may constitute or may a'ctuate a commutator, by which the direction of flow of the current through the helices of the magnet may be reversed as the compound bar approaches its limit in either direction. These and other changes will readily suggest themselves to any mechanic or electrician.

In order that the water employed for exhausting the air from chamber F and compressing air in chamber G may not be wasted, a valve, R, may be placed in the supply-pipe S, provided with a piston or pistons, T T,,fit-

ting in a cylinder or cylinders, U U, in communication with the interior of either or both chambers F G, the pressure of one chamber, the vacuum of the other, or the combined action of these two forces serving to move the piston or pistons and close the valve against the resistance of a spring, V, or equivalent device whenever the pressure on the vacuum reaches a certain point. If this device be used with either chamber, the safety or relief valve may be dispensed with for such chamber, being rendered unnecessary by this.

An air-pump may be employed to draw air from one chamber and to compress it in the other, or separate exhausting and compressing apparatus may be used, one for each tank or chamber.

It is not essential that special tanks be provided it the pipes themselves be made sufliciently large, though better results will attend their use. 1

Any gas or fluid may be used instead of water in the apparatus H for exhaustii'lg and compressing air.

The thermostat of course maintains contact for some little time with the contact screw or point, and hence it becomes necessary to provide a circuit-breaker which as the valve is shifted or reversed shall break the circuit and thus prevent undue exhaustion of the battery.

The switch may conveniently consist merely of a flexible arm, I), carried by the lever K and arranged to make contact alternately with one or the other of two contact-plates, c and d, with which line or conductor a connects, one end of the helix-wire of each electro-magnet being put in electric connection with lever K, advisably through its pivot or axle.

To prevent the circuit being broken too soon after the valve begins its movement in either direction, the contact-plates c d are made to lap or extend past each other, as shown in Figs. 2, ti, and 7, so that the lever K shall nearly complete its movement before the arm b leaves the plate through which the current is at the time passing. As the helix of only one of the electro-magnets is at any time incircuit, it is of course immaterial that arm b bears upon both plates 0 d at the same time.

To assist and insure the complete movement of the valve, I preferably employ a bowspring, 6, having its face inclined backward from the center both ways, said spring being arranged to bear upon a roller or ridge, f, on the lever K, near the pivot of the latter. A very light spring is sut'ficent for the purpose.

It will of course be understood that the plates 0' d are insulated from the box or casing E.

Any number of thermostats, valves, dampers, and similar apparatus may be combined in the one circuit, or separate circuits may be employed.

One thermostat may control two or more valves, dampers, or the like, or a separate thermostat may be provided for each.

Having thus described my invention ,what I claim is 1. In combination with a valve, damper, ventilator, or like device, a movable dia* phragm or piston, a close chamber containing the same, an air-compressing apparatus and a suction apparatus both communicating with said chamber, and a valve adapted and arranged to open communication with the compressing apparatus and cut off communication with the exhaust apparatus, or to open communication with the suction apparatus and cut off communication with the compressing apparatus, in whichever order required.

2. In combination with a valve, damper, ventilator, or like device, a close chamber provided with a movable diaphragm or piston, a pressure apparatus and a suction apparatus both communicating with said chamber, a valve adapted and arranged to open communication with one and close communication with the other of said apparatus, an armature connected with said valve, and an electromagnet having its pole or poles in close proximity to the armature, and serving, when energized, to attract the same and operate the valve controlling communication with the exhaust and pressure apparatus.

3. In combination witha valve, damper, ventilator, or like device, a close chamber provided with a movable diaphragm or piston, a pressure apparatus and an exhaust apparatus both communicating with said chamber, a valve adapted and arranged to open commu-. nication between said chamber and either apparatus and to close communication with the other, an armature connected with said valve, electro-magnets placed in position to attract said armature when energized, a battery or other electric generator, a thermostat included in the battery-circuit, and two contact-points, each in electrical connection with one of the electro-magnets, and through one or the other of wh'ch the thermostat closes the batterycircuit whenever the temperature rises above 0; falls below predetermirei limits.

4. In combination with a valve, damper, ventilator, or like device, a close chamber provided with a movable diaphragm or piston, an exhaust-pipe and a pressure-pipe communicating therewith, an exhaust or vacuum chamber in communication with the exhaustpipe, a pressure-chamber in communication with the pressure-pipe, exhausting and compressing apparatus communicating with the respective chambers, and a valve for controlling communication of the suction and pressure chambers with the chamber containing the diaphragnror piston.

5. In combination with a valve, damper, ventilator, or like device, a close chamber provided with a movable diaphragm or piston, an exhaust-pipe and a pressure-pipe communicating therewith, and a hydraulic suction and compression apparatus communicating with said pipes, substantially as described and shown.

6. The herein-described apparatus for actuating and controlling valves, dampers, ventilators, and similar devices, consisting of a close chamber, as D, provided with a flexible diaphragm, O, or its described equivalent, airtight box E, pipes 6, connecting box E and chamber D, exhaust-chamber F and pressurechamber G, both communicating with box E,

provided with a diaphragm or piston for operating valves, dampers, &c., a pressure-chamber and an exhaustchamber adapted andarranged to be placed in communication with the closed chamber alternately, whereby the diaphragm or piston may be moved positively in both directions.

8. In combination with chamber D and its diaphragm or piston, exhaust-chamber F and pressure-chamber G, adapted and arranged to be placed alternately in communication with chamber D, fluid-actuated mechanism for withdrawing air from chamber F for forcing air into chamber G, a valve for controlling the supply of fluid to such mechanism, a piston or diaphragm mounted in a cylinder in communication with one-or both of the chambers F G for moving the valve in one direction, and a spring or equivalent device for-forcing the valve back, said parts being constructed forth, whereby the entire apparatus is rendered automatic.

9. In a heat-regulating apparatus, the combination, with a valve, damper, ventilator, or like device, of a piston or diaphragm connected with and serving to move the same, a chamber containing the piston or diaphragm, an exhaust apparatus and a pressure apparatus communicating with said chamber and with a close reversing-valve chamber, avalve located within said chamber and serving to simultaneously open communication with one and close communication with the other of said apparatus, electro-magnetic devices, substantially such as shown, for actuating the reversing-armature, and a switch carried by I the reversing-arm ature and serving to reverse municating with the controlling devices of the and arranged to operate substantially as set 4 heat-regulating valve, exhaust-chamber} and same battery elements, for changing the dipressure-chamber G, communicatingwlth box rection 01' path of the current as the valve is 01- casing E, reversing-valve n, earned by leshifted.

ver K Within said casing, electro-magnets L LUCIAN FORD EASTOI. M, for actuating said lever, and aswiteh con- Witnesses: sisting of arm I), carried by the lever, and R. E. SHEPHERD,

overlapping plates 0 (1', connected with the V. E. LOCKERBY.

It is hereby certified that the name of the patentee in Letters Patent No. 394,563, granted December 18, 1888, for an improvement in Temperatiire-Regulators, was erroneously Written and printed Lucian Ford Easton, whereas said name should have been written and printed Lucian Fred. Easton and that said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed, countersigned, and sealed this 8th day of J anuary, A. D. 1889.

1). L. HAWKINS,

[smug Assistant Secretary of the Interior Oountersigned BENTON J. HALL,

Ommnisstoner of Patents. 

